GRR Reviews Player of Life by Shandi Boyes

Nick is "The Player"... he ALWAYS plays the field. Being an impulsive guy who goes after what he wanted, he was blessed by good looks... and talent. Being a member of the hot new band "Rise Up" never hurts, esp. when he basically "forced" himself onto the band by joining one of their performances (without prior permission). But screwing another band member's fiancee, even though the girl is a nympho who will do most men with a ****? BAD CALL. But The Player is about to meet his match... by the name of Jenni... who's innocent, beautiful, and immune to his charms. Yet he can't stay away from her. Seems this Player will have to learn some new tricks, amidst the turmoil experienced by the band, including a stalker...

Not bad, but not like extraordinarily good either. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Texan Meets His Match (Lake Howling) by Wendy Vella

The Texan Meets His Match is a fun story though the pivot into romantic suspense seems to be way too low.

Annabelle Smith lives in Lake Howling, one of the small towns in Texas, and has her support network of friends, but with a mother who died young, and an alcoholic father, she ended up raising her baby brother by herself. When her baby brother fell to the dark side in Las Vegas, and fell into drug and gambling, she bailed him out twice and tried to get him to treatment. She just learned that her brother just cleaned out her bank account, money she saved up for a down payment on her own house, and maybe start a business someday. She's so angry, she refuses to take any calls from him, because he always somehow cajoles her into forgiving him. It was just then Ethan Gelderman came back to town. Ethan was the womanizer, the alpha whose little black book overflowing with girl's numbers. But the war had changed him. Ethan never wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, because his father had been grooming him since he's ten to take over the family business, and he resisted every way, including running off to join the military when he's 18. Now a self-made man with a fortune, he's back to attend a wedding. Seeing Annabelle brought feelings back, and Ethan will not resist a challenge. But Annabelle cannot let news of her misfortune spread among her circle of friends... She does not want any pity. When she found out her brother was in MUCH MUCH worse trouble than she ever suspected (the 25K he stole from her barely made a dent in what he owed to the mob) she had no choice but to accept Ethan's help...

The pivot into romantic suspense, IMHO, was way too abrupt, but actually plausible due to his army background. All in all, it's a good tale of admitting to faults so friends can help. The romance was actually nothing too special. It's about coming to terms with one's own limitations.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Self-made millionaire came back to town, had to romance a beauty whose brother is in serious trouble with the mob

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews The Playboy Next Door by Christina Tetreault

The Playboy Next Door tried to setup reluctant lovers, but the ending was a pretty lame trope.

Catrina was stood up by her blind date when she was rescued by resident playboy Tony. Cat knew all about Tony's reputation, but she's lonely, and she invited him back to her apartment... Tony never tried any moves on Cat because she's his best bud's little sister... and his coach's daughter. Tony's sweetheart passed away, and he felt isn't not up to love someone deeply, that's why he kept things light and casual. Tony and Cat agreed to keep things light and secret, but secrets always get out, and Tony needs to decide whether to risk his heart again... or lose the woman that came to be much more than just friends.

The ending resorted to trope "I hurt you because I love you (therefore I must drive you away, because I think it's better for you)" which basically instantly turned to regret. ARGH! I **hate** that sort of darkest hour.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a jilted woman fall for the resident playboy who may be ready to turn over a new leaf?

Overall Rating:  3/5

NOTE: see "Labels" below for the tropes.